Press Release: Panel Discussion on the aftermath of the Paris attacks

The aftermath of the recent violent events in Paris earlier in January will be the focus of a panel discussion in London this weekend. Particular attention will be paid to Europe at large and the response the attacks will result in. Analysis will be made of the immediate aftermath as well as what may occur in the medium and long term. The panel is entitled ‘What now for Europe? The instrumentalisation of the Paris attacks’

Following the attacks David Cameron claimed that they “demonstrated the scale of the terrorist threat that we face” and spoke of the need for robust powers in order to “keep people safe.” The recent statement is in conjunction with new proposed legislation that could grant the state the power to search through any individuals communications without the need for a warrant. These laws disproportionately and discriminately target Muslims – alongside the government’s counter-terrorism programme: the PREVENT strategy. Are these moments – such as the one in Paris – exploited by politicians and used to demonise Muslims?

The panel will feature speakers from the UK, France and California. Houria Bouteldja and M’Baïreh Lisette of the Party of the Indigenous of the Republic (PIR) will also feature and their appearance comes after the Party was accused of being partly responsible for the attack on Charlie Hebdo by ex-French minster Jeanette Bougrab. She illogically claimed that their criticism of Charlie Hebdo’s Islamophobia and structural racism must mean they were somehow involved.

For a complete list of speakers please see below:

Speakers:

Houria Bouteldja – a French-Algerian political activist and blogger. She is also the spokesperson of the Party of the Indigenous of the Republic (PIR).

Ramon Grosfoguel – professor in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California at Berkeley and a research associate of the Maison des Science de l’Homme in Paris

M’Baïreh Lisette – Activist for almost 50 years and an expert in crisis management. He is a spokesperson of the Party of the Indigenous of the Republic (PIR) and also the former SecretaryGeneral of the Association of French Overseas Elected Representatives

Arzu Merali – co-founder of IHRC and Head of Research

Richard Seymour – author and broadcaster. He writes for The Guardian, and appears on Telesur. His most recent book is Against Austerity (2014), and he is completing a PhD at the London School of Economics

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